Unit 4 - Case Studies (Japan Earthquake and Tsunami)

Question 1

What magnitude was the Japan earthquake?

Answer 1

9.0

Question 2

How many minutes later did the tsunami strike in Japan?

Answer 2

30 minutes

Question 3

How many kilometres of coastline were affected by the tsunami waves?

Answer 3

3,000km - broke through coastal defences

Question 4

What plate margin is Japan located on?

Answer 4

Destructive plate margin where the Pacific plate was being subducted by the North American plate

Question 5

What nuclear plant did the Japan earthquake and tsunami affect?

Answer 5

Fukushima Nuclear Plant - caused a cooling system failure which released radioactive materials - low levels detected along the North American coast and resulted in evacuation of locals

Question 6

How many people died in the Japan earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 6

15,891 people

Question 7

How many building collapsed and how many were damaged in the Japan earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 7

130,000 collapsed and 700,000 damaged - caused extensive and severe structural damage in North-Eastern Japan

Question 8

How many people were without electricity in the Japan earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 8

4.4 million

Question 9

How many people were without water in the Japan earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 9

1.5 million

Question 10

Who was criticised for issuing an initial tsunami warning that underestimated the size of the wave?

Answer 10

JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency)

Question 11

What was the response from the Japanese government after the earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 11

They sent in specially trained people such as the self-defense forces, to help issues such as shortages of water, food, shelter, medicine and fuel

Question 12

What did the UK do to help search for survivors?

Answer 12

Sent a search and rescue team

Question 13

When did the earthquake and tsunami occur?

Answer 13

11th March 2011

Question 14

Why have Japan developed a high capacity to cope with both earthquakes and tsunamis?

Answer 14

Because they occur quite frequently

Question 15

What percentage of Japans coastline have sea walls?

Answer 15

40%

Question 16

What did the JMA do to warn the population of the incoming event?

Answer 16

Issued televised warnings - they also predicted the tsunami 3 minutes after the earthquake giving enough warning to get to safer ground

Question 17

What are the buildings now designed to do if another tectonic event occurred?

Answer 17

Designed to cope with earthquakes as they move with them. Effective due to them being highly developed

Question 18

What do the locals do to be prepared for future tectonic events?

Answer 18

Trained yearly on how to survive earthquakes.

Question 19

What was the economic loss of the Japan earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 19

World bank estimated damage at $235 billion